Ha! If I would've known that you were going to run into Alain, I would've let you know to thank him for one of those mapsets that you now have (not the OSM one). We met Alain in Cali, and rode with him in northern Ecuador for a couple of days. Really good guy. The small world of moto travelers...

And I'm especially glad he was able to help you out with the gas situation. Some of those lines are nuts!

Enjoy Argentina!

I met Alain this week in Cali. He was very helpful in getting us squared away with tires and working with the folks at Asturias in Cali. I was able to pass on to him my slightly used (Vancouver to Colombia) Heideneau Scout. A great guy and very knowledgeable of Colombian and Ecuador routes. He hangs out at Asturias shop in Cali, and will help riders out.

Yo Mark . I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering, what are your plans for 2013? Will you stay on the road and regale us with morning updates , or not? What's spinning around inside your mind as of today? Thanks.

Dave

Hola iDave So glad you have asked. As a journey I have had many thoughts about what to do next and when. Lots of factors in trying to see clearly what my next adventures will be wether on the road or deciding to get back to a working life.

But the last few weeks have given me a bit of clarity about continuing the journey a bit longer. Looks like I will spend another 1-2 months in South America before heading to New Zealand early in the new year. After that ? too many thoughts and logistics to really have it all Planned out!

Someone asked a bit earlier the total cost of the trip so far..... It is a bit complicated to answer directly as i was back in the states before and after India and I had some unexpected expenses to do with my car, my houses and a few other things. So I have yet to break all this out and put actual numbers to them. But they all impact the length and scope of my ride.

Here is the swirling thoughts in a nut shell. I try to live my life in a reasonable and focused way. Faith, Hope and courage helping to guide me. Life is truly short, but I have to be able to finish my journey on the road, and also be able to transition to some type of meaningful paid work in the future, as I do not have enough money to "retire".

That said, I know that part of me is getting ready to want to get on with life off the road, and part of me knows that I have a unique opportunity and freedom to continue on this travel. So 2013 will see continued ride reports for somewhere on the globe, and at some point a new chapter will emerge from this ride!

Will be reaching a huge milestone in the days ahead........ Stay tuned!!

That's good to know. I've been wondering what I'm supposed to do once this thread comes to an end.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radioman

Hola iDave So glad you have asked. As a journey I have had many thoughts about what to do next and when. Lots of factors in trying to see clearly what my next adventures will be wether on the road or deciding to get back to a working life.

But the last few weeks have given me a bit of clarity about continuing the journey a bit longer. Looks like I will spend another 1-2 months in South America before heading to New Zealand early in the new year. After that ? too many thoughts and logistics to really have it all Planned out!

Someone asked a bit earlier the total cost of the trip so far..... It is a bit complicated to answer directly as i was back in the states before and after India and I had some unexpected expenses to do with my car, my houses and a few other things. So I have yet to break all this out and put actual numbers to them. But they all impact the length and scope of my ride.

Here is the swirling thoughts in a nut shell. I try to live my life in a reasonable and focused way. Faith, Hope and courage helping to guide me. Life is truly short, but I have to be able to finish my journey on the road, and also be able to transition to some type of meaningful paid work in the future, as I do not have enough money to "retire".

That said, I know that part of me is getting ready to want to get on with life off the road, and part of me knows that I have a unique opportunity and freedom to continue on this travel. So 2013 will see continued ride reports for somewhere on the globe, and at some point a new chapter will emerge from this ride!

Will be reaching a huge milestone in the days ahead........ Stay tuned!!

The pic is of the new, as yet unnamed, baby elephant here in Portland, and the card in the mailbox right now.

Thanks Ken and everyone who is taking the time and effort to send a card. Little Reese had another surgery and then 3rd chemo treatment. My friend was grateful for having these sent (I sent her photos you guys are posting). She knows that it will bring smiles!! Thanks!!

Ken and I spent the afternoon the day before on the rooftop deck enjoying the views!

More Postcards sent out for little Reese. Hope in some small way it will help brighten their days!

We stayed here, and headed off in the morning to Cerro Sombero ...... Tierra Del Fuego

The wind was blowing .... hard to capture a good photo of how much wind there is but it is a great deal with gusts....

Stopped for a nice Coffee along the way. Sign post tells us how far away we are.

Did I say it was windy?

Yes but I am really south in South America seems a bit unreal. Still worth a windy jump!

We arrive at the northern ferry crossing the narrows of Magellan onto Tierra Del Fuego

At the ferry "dock" we meet up with Robbie from NY. He has been riding as long as I have on a 1975 Honda CB500. After introductions and such, he sees a "radiomanridestheworld" sticker on my bike and says; "your Radioman".... "Your famous"